I asked a similar question months ago and I felt so much better after reading all of your comments on that issue. I'm naturally neurotic so yes, working in healthcare with Hipaa ever before me keeps me on my toes (sigh). I really don't think about it, I just keep work issues at work. But, today while talking with my dear mother, I mentioned that, while at work one day and wearing a protective mask, a little kid said, "hey, that creeps me out!" (referring to the mask; the way the kid said it was really cute.) I didn't say anything else, didn't mention if the kid was a patient or not, but did use the pronoun "he". Paranoid me, I'm worried. Forgive me if this seems silly or a waste of your time! As I said, I normally am pretty iron-clad about not mentioning anything patient-related outside of work, but this just tumbled out. Thanks for your patience and feedback.
PS: By the way, I work in healthcare but am NOT a nurse. I have regular patient contact though, and it was my concerns about Hipaa that led me to this site (I couldn't find any other and I knew that you nurses would offer good feedback). I hope it's ok if I post here, and if not, I'm sorry!
OMG! Please do NOT worry... I can't remember how many times I have used the noun he or she. HIPPA violation is ONLY when a healthcare employee, whether nurse, doctor, unit assistant, or freakin janitor, talks about a specific patient to anyone else not involved with their care. So for example... if you're taking care of someone on the unit and then you go to a colleague or someone NOT involved with this patients and say something like " OMG, you won't believe this, Patient Jane Doe, on the telemetry unit was originally admitted for having something put into his rectum.." You mention ANY indetifiers that can pinpoint a specific person, then yes you are in violation...but if you just say he or she...lol! YOU ARE FINE!....AGAIN!....PLEASE, DO NOT WORRY! And trust me, I have really bad anxiety and I'm telling you that you are okay.
MN533952
12 Posts
OMG! Please do NOT worry... I can't remember how many times I have used the noun he or she. HIPPA violation is ONLY when a healthcare employee, whether nurse, doctor, unit assistant, or freakin janitor, talks about a specific patient to anyone else not involved with their care. So for example... if you're taking care of someone on the unit and then you go to a colleague or someone NOT involved with this patients and say something like " OMG, you won't believe this, Patient Jane Doe, on the telemetry unit was originally admitted for having something put into his rectum.." You mention ANY indetifiers that can pinpoint a specific person, then yes you are in violation...but if you just say he or she...lol! YOU ARE FINE!....AGAIN!....PLEASE, DO NOT WORRY! And trust me, I have really bad anxiety and I'm telling you that you are okay.